In a request for quotation (RFQ) released Thursday, the California Department of Parks and Recreation (CDPR) is looking for IT services – more specifically, “electronic system services in support of the mandated Conflict of Interest and Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700).” Among the takeaways:
- This RFQ originates from CDPR’s Human Resources Division. It is seeking an electronic system that can “automate the tasks” connected to conflict of interest and Form 700 “pursuant to the Political Reform Act” – likely related to the reporting in these areas. Per the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC), the Political Reform Act prohibits public officials from using their positions to influence a “governmental decision” in which they have a financial interest – and requires state and local agencies adopt conflict-of-interest codes identifying all officials and employees who make those decisions. Those people must then disclose their financial interests via the Form 700.
- Contractor tasks and responsibilities are, generally, providing an electronic system to automate those tasks involving Form 700 – which, CDPR notes, delivers information to the public on an official’s personal financial interests and serves as a reminder of potential conflicts of interest enabling an official to abstain from decisions that would be conflicts. The contractor selected must provide system setup, training, hosting – on the contractor’s servers – as well as maintenance, support and system updates; and a way to maintain CDPR data “in a confidential manner.” The company chosen must also be able to “track designated filers by their position number,” provide administration portal access and let CDPR automate “pre-notifications of annual filing deadline” as well as related communications/enforcement letters. The contractor must also be able to automate notifications, non-filer communications and enforcement letters for assuming and leaving office and offer the ability to do status reports for tracking purposes. Contractor must also provide electronic document storage with the ability to retrieve and print electronic Form 700 copies; access to the portal for filers; a “mobile device filer platform” and a public viewing portal with “redacted filing online without manual scanning/redacting of filed documents.”
- Minimum qualifications include being previously certified with other state and local agencies or via the FPPC for an “Electronic Filing System for processing a Statement of Interests, Form 700.” Administrative requirements include a cover letter, a statement of work, references from “previous projects that are similar in nature to the work outlined” in this RFQ; bidder declarations; and a list of subcontractors.
- This is an approximately three-year contract with the “anticipated performance period” of July 1 through June 30, 2025, with the option for the state to extend it up to one year and the same quarterly rates. Contractor must be ready to start work within 10 business days of contract signing; however, written approval from all entities will be needed before services can be performed. The contract amount is not specified. Questions are due by Wednesday, and CDPR responses will come Friday. Responses to the RFQ are due by 5 p.m. June 23, and the contract award date is expected to be June 24.
